Accordion keyboard silencer



Feb. 21, 1950 R. c. ENTWISTLE ET AL 2,498,604

ACCORDION KEYBOARD SILENCER Filed Aug. 5, 1947 Inventors Robert C. E arm's/la Arthur Char/off Patented Feb. 21, 1950 I ACCORDION KEYBOARD SILENCER Robert C. Entwistle and Arthur Chariott, Norwalk, Conn.

Application August 5, 1947, Serial No. 766,410

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in piano accordions and has more specific reference to a structurally refined keyboard and valve assembly means wherein valve closing noises are virtually eliminated.

More specifically, the invention appertains to novel and improved means which is interposed between each reed block and coacting valve, this in a manner to absorb both shock and noise.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention we provide what is in effect a novel seat for each key operated valve and said seat fits with requisite nicety between the reed block and the felt side of the valve and is possessed of inherent properties in a manner to attain the desired silencing and shock absorbing properties.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a conventional-type piano accordion, a portion being broken away to show several of the key operated valves.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional and elevational view showing the construction and location of the novel valve seating and aperture closing means.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the valve seating means per se.

Referring to the drawing by distinguishing reference characters, A denotes generally speaking the body of the accordion which includes, as a part, customary bellows means B. In Figure 2, C denotes the keyboard, D the keys, said keys being pivotally mounted at E on the keyboard and serving to operate the valve rods F. The letter G denotes the customary return spring on the keyboard for the key as shown in Figure 2. The valve per se is denoted by the numeral H and is mounted atop the rod F and is provided with a customary felt or equivalent facing I. The valve seating plate is denoted at J, having the usual aperture lined up with an air passage in the reed block K. The aperture is denoted at L and the passage at M. All of these are conventional parts in a standard type accordion.

The invention is a unitary valve seating device and is denoted by the numeral 5. In its preferred embodiment it comprises an airtight rubber or equivalent sleeve 6 having a laterally outstanding 4 Claims. (Cl. 84-376) endless flange 1 arranged between the reed block K and valve plate J. The flange is channel shaped in cross section and serves to accommodate an end thrust ring 8 with a retaining flange 9 for a coiled spring ill. The outer end of the sleeve is inturned as at H and this provides suitable retention means for the adjacent coils of the spring. The inturned lip portion of the sleeve defines an effective annular cushioned seat 12 to effectively accommodate the valve felt facing I.

By installing the device 5 in the valve plate J between the valve and reed block as shown in Figure 2 it becomes an effective silencing and shock absorbing valve seat for said valve, this in an obvious and practical manner. Manifestly, the introduction of said device as shown and described not only provides a self-adapting and properly accommodating valve seat with silencing and shock absorbing properties, but the presence of said device in the instrument greatly prolongs the life of all of the coacting parts, the keys, keyboard, valve head and allied parts.

Although the invention is shown installed on a piano accordion, it might well be applied to other instruments wherein air passes through a tube or conduit and is opened and closed by finger controlled valves such as for example in saxophones, clarinets and the like. It follows therefore that in its broad aspect the invention has to do with an air passage having a vent for escape of tone waves having a valve controlling said vent, the invention being in the nature of a valve seat and serving to perform its assigned duty with requisite eificiency and certainty.

Changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of details and parts may be resorted to in actual practice, so long as they do not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims, as is well understood.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. In a piano accordion of the class described, body means including an apertured valve plate, a reed block aligned with the aperture in said valve plate, a valve cooperable with said aperture, a keyboard, a key pivoted on said keyboard, spring return means on the keyboard for the key, an operating connection between the key and valve, a flanged rubber sleeve, the flange on said sleeve being interposed between the reed block and adjacent surface of said valve plate, said sleeve embodying spring means and including a valve seating surface for the valve.

2. In a piano accordion of the class shown and described, body means including an apertured valve plate, a reed block mounted in alignment with the aperture in said valve plate, a valve also aligned with and movable toward and from the aperture in said valve plate, a keyboard, a key pivoted on said keyboard, spring return means on the keyboard for said key, an operating connection between the key and valve, a coiled spring having a, portion located in said aperture and a portion projecting beyond the valve plate in the direction of the coacting valve, an airtight open ended sleeve completely jacketing said coiled spring, said sleeve also fitting into'said aperture, one end of the sleeve being anchored for attachment to said valve plate, the opposite end; of the sleeve fitting over the spring and providing a seating surface for said valve.

3. A shock absorbing and valve silencing attachment adapted to be fitted into a valve opening in a valve plate andlfurther adapted to line up-with a reed blockpn onesideof theplate, and a key-controlled; valve on an opposite; side of the plate comprising an. airtight open-ended. rubber sleeve having; an annular valve seat at one end, having an outstanding; mounting and retaining flangeat an opposite end,;said flange being adapted to abut the; stated vvalve plate, and a coiled, spring completely housed and contained Within the confines; of said sleeve and having endmost coilsembodiedinsaid valvel-seat,

4. A shock absorbing and valve silencing, at tachment adapted to :be fitted 7 into a a: valve opening in avalve-plate and furtheradapted to line up with areed block on one side of? theplateand 4 a key-controlled valve on an opposite side of the plate comprising an airtight open-ended rubber sleeve having an annular valve seat at one end, having an outstanding mounting and retaining flange at an opposite end, said flange being adapted to abut the stated valve plate, and a coiled spring completely housed and contained within the confines of said sleeve and having endmost coilsembodied in said valve seat, said flange being channel-shaped in cross section, and a rigid retaining ring having an outer peripheral edge portion situated and lodged in the channel and having its inner peripheral edge portion projecting radially inward of the channel, the adjacent coil: of said spring bearing against said ring in a manner to securely retain the spring in proper position in the sleeve.

ROBERT C. ENTWISTLE. ARTHUR CHARIOTT.

CES QKTED Thefollewing references are of" recor: in the file of this patent:

STATES PATENTS Nu. in bar Na Date 2,173,617 Vespa Sept; 19, 1939 2,447,663 Payne Aug; 24, 1948 FQREIGN PATENTS.

Npr-ber Gountry Date 278,622 Italy Oct;.15,.l930' 70,857 Norway, Aug. 12; 1946 

